Binding Plate: Christ in Majesty

Binding Plate: 
Christ's Majesty
Southern workshop (Limousin or Spain ?), 
Third quarter of the 12th century
Copper champlevé, enamelled and gilded
H. 0.236 m ; W. 0.136 m
Acq., 1893 ; 
Cl. 13070

This piece, together with a plate conserved at the museum of Madrid, made up the binder of a highly valuable manuscript. For their decoration, the artists used the most refined materials available: ivory, gold, silver, gilded and enamelling, copper, and precious stones. Christ's majesty was a favoured theme among Romanesque artists; he is shown on his throne, with one hand delivering a benediction and the other holding The Good Book. Majestic, nimbed, here is Christ the Judge, victor over death. He is incessantly in view of the believers. Here he is figured on this enamelled plate within his almond-shaped glory and surrounded by the symbols of the Four Evangelists: Saint Matthew's angel, Saint John's eagle, Saint Mark's lion and Saint Luke's bull. Christ's large nimbus and immense fingers, as well as his disproportionate legs, are meant to express his power and strength.